Sarah Champion MP welcomes further rollout of Labour’s Free Breakfast Clubs in Rotherham.

Sarah Champion, Member of Parliament for Rotherham, has welcomed the next phase of the Governments’ Free Breakfast Clubs.

•                     Labour is rolling out Best Start free breakfast clubs to save working families up to £450 and set children up to start the day ready to learn

•                     500 more schools to offer clubs from April, delivering on Labour’s Plan for Change

•                     Half a million pupils in England’s most disadvantaged communities to benefit this year

More families and children in Rotherham will soon benefit from free, daily breakfast clubs as the Labour Government confirms the next 500 schools to offer the scheme from April, putting up to £450 a year back in local parents’ pockets.

The following schools in Rotherham will join the program from April:  Ferham Primary School, Meadow View Primary School, Canklow Woods Primary School, Eastwood Village Primary School, High Greave Infant School, St Ann's Primary School. This means 1,786 children in Rotherham will now be able to start their day with a nutritious meal.

The clubs come alongside a raft of measures driven forward by Labour to cut the cost of living for families in Rotherham, including expanding free school meals, rolling out 30 hours of government-funded childcare, bringing down school uniform costs and securing the future of Best Start holiday clubs.

Universal Best Start free breakfast clubs are central to Labour’s Plan for Change, breaking down barriers to opportunity by making sure every child starts the school day ready to learn – with research showing the clubs have a lasting impact on children’s behaviour, attendance and attainment.

The scheme plays a role in Labour’s moral mission to tackle child poverty, with the government on track to secure the biggest reduction in child poverty within a single parliament. By targeting support, Labour’s clubs will reach half a million pupils in England’s most disadvantaged communities. This will provide essential meal to ensure every child starts the day ready to learn.

Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education, said:

"Free breakfast clubs sit right at the heart of Labour’s Plan for Change, breaking the link between background and success for families all over the country.

"Breakfast clubs can have a transformative impact on the lives of millions of children, feeding hungry tummies and fuelling hungry minds, so every child begins the day ready to learn.

Commenting, Champion said:  

“I am delighted that even more children in Rotherham will be able to benefit from Free Breakfast Clubs from April”

“Breakfast clubs support families by giving children the nutritious start they need to focus and learn, while easing the pressure on parents. Every child in Rotherham deserves a bright future, and this scheme helps them achieve that.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

•                     Department for Education newsdesk is contactable at 020 7783 8300.